Bean Salads

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Salads are no longer just diet food, composed of lettuce and dressing. Browse through our gallery of delicious concoctions, including light and fresh, hearty and savory -- these big, bold combinations of prime produce and flavor-packed add-ins make it easy to get your veggies on.

Whenever possible, buy vacuum-packed cooked lentils (available in many supermarkets); if using the canned variety, be sure to drain and thoroughly rinse the lentils before using.

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Different kinds of beans cook at different rates, so it's best to prepare them in separate pans (working in batches if necessary). The salad can be made with just a few types instead of all five, as long as the total amount of dried beans still measures 2 1/2 cups.

Delicata squash is tossed with kale, cranberry beans, and a tangy balsamic dressing. Compounds in kale prompt the liver to release enzymes that may fight cancer.

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Earthy textures make this salad as interesting
to look at as it is to eat. French lentils are firmer than many other varieties, so they won't get mushy or break apart as they simmer. Don't be turned off by the gnarled appearance of celery root. Once caramelized, the vegetable's citrusy, licoricelike flavor shines.

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Tuna and beans count selenium as antioxidant sources (choose a colorful bean to add anthocyanins). While the tomatoes have lycopene, sauteeing them with a little olive oil boosts this antioxidant's bioavailability.